Production Diaries:
June 2004
July 2004
August 2004
September 2004
October 2004
Recent Entries:
HUNDREDS GATHER TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MAKO IWAMATSU IN CAGES!
Wed, 14 Nov 2007
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE SCREENING OF MAKO!
Tue, 16 Oct 2007
Perles Acquires Cages Distribution!
Wed, 01 Aug 2007
"CAGES" RUNS 4TH WEEK IN THEATRES!
Fri, 13 Apr 2007
IT'S MY TURN TO FLY!
Mon, 09 Apr 2007
"CAGES" SURPRISES MANY AS IT ENTERS THIRD WEEKEND IN THEATRES!
Fri, 06 Apr 2007
"CAGES" ENTERS THIRD WEEK IN THEATRES!
Tue, 03 Apr 2007
LOYAL FOLLOWING TO THANK, AS "CAGES" ENTERS THIRD WEEK IN THEATRES!
Mon, 02 Apr 2007
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Wrapping Zelda
09/30/04
Okay, Bobby Tonelli finished shooting about a month ago…I think. Asrani left the set a few weeks ago now. It’s always a strange feeling when you say goodbye to the actors in your film. It’s so final. So…finite. I always worry I didn’t get all the material I needed. Today is Zelda’s last day. Those feelings are there again.
After the last day, I always wanna have a big farewell speech, but it means…they are finished…for good. It’s hard enough at the end of a shooting day to let the actor go home, fearing we need to get a pick up or need to run a clean line…but when I have to say goodbye…well, it’s really the end. .
Zelda’s been a real trooper. There are very few 71-year old actors in Hollywood, let alone ones who would accept a role in an indie film like this. There are no honey wagons, no make up trailers, no limo drivers and no green rooms. In addition to having the bravery to accept job in an indie like Cages, she has found the energy and bravery too travel over seas, leaving her friends and home to work over a month in a relatively humid environment. In addition to that, she brings with her a physical limitation. .
Yes, in one way, to be very honest, having Zelda on the set has a challenge and a more energy consuming experience than the other actors…but I wouldn’t have given it up for anything. You see, this is the fundamental principle behind Cages as a movie, and as a film experience. Many of the people on the set are gaining experience and opportunity that they would never have gotten if we as a team didn’t commit to opening up access for them. Even me as a filmmaker am enjoying the access given to me to direct this film. For people like Zelda, who is a mature actress who’s roles are far a few offered and who might shy away from the fact that she would need special assistance on set or in transit, Cages has proven the opposite. .
On screen, Zelda is magic. Off screen, she is everyone’s mother. We love her and had a great time with her. She worked hard. We worked hard. The result is a splendid LIZ who’s presence on screen brings a warm smile and laugh when things get too tough in the story. .
So in wrapping it up…I am so grateful we’ve had Zelda in this film. I literally wrote the character around her. She embraced it and even faced some powerful issues as a human being in the process. Wrapping her last scene….on the last day was a sad moment. I hope we can work together in the future. In the mean time, she is embedded in Cages….for ever. .
Graham Streeter
Director
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